Focus ST Panther Black Cleaning

[taylor8]

Wonder in I could get some advice.

I have a Focus ST in Panther Black, problem is the car has a few scratches and is quiet heavy on swirl marks.

Can you recommend what id need to correct the paint work, I am also looking at getting a snow foam kit.

So really looking at

What snow foam
Shampoo (I used Maguire's Gold)
Clay bar (Have used Maguire's in past)
Paint restorer
Polish (would be good if I could use the same polish with a machine and by hand)
Sealant/Wax

Alloy wheel cleaner
Alloy Wheel sealant


Also can anyone suggest a good little pressure washer for cleaning cars patios etc??

Thanks

[PJ S]

Give us a budget you're working to, and don't be dismayed if I tell you you're better to put the £50 for a foam lance towards a better pressure washer!

[taylor8]

what for pressure washer? say £120 max
£150 for cleaning products

[taylor8]

bttt

[PJ S]

taylor8 said:

what for pressure washer? say £120 max
£150 for cleaning products

Other way round, and then some!
Your pressure washer (vfm long term) is the no1 priority - £200 on a very decent brass pump one will be the best option, along with good pressure and high flow rate.
Foregoing the "obligatory" foam lance at £45, as one isn't still yet available for the fitment used, the amount mentioned there would go on a Makita HW130 machine.
I have the HW131, and it's bloody superb.
Others on the main detailing forum here in the UK, talk up the Nilfislk/Alto Kew range, but the one thing you need to look carefully at is the quoted flow rates - use the lower number of the two mentioned, which is constant, and the same for pressure. Most non-brass (true, not brass-like painted heads) pumps are incapable of producing more than 120 bar constant. In fact, most domestic machines barely manage 90 bar in operation.
Whilst pressure is not the be all, end all, it's still an important aspect of overall performance - http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/electrical/pressure_washe...

You can make do with £100 of products/accessories, and then build upon that, depending on what you need.
£50 starter kit from www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk of Bilt Hamber shampoo, clay, sealant, with microfibre cloth/towels for drying/buffing. Add on Surfex HD for wheels, pre-wash (with suitable pressurised garden sprayer), etc. Some Autosol/Peek chrome polish, and Aerospace 303 for rubber seals/plastic trim inside and out.
Half decent as a tyre dressing too.